09/08/2025
The Chevelles ~ 1964
Winners of The Battle of the Bands in Creston, BC
“That picture is the zenith, the absolute high point of the band.”
~ Mike McMahon
From Left to Right:
Bob Evans (Bass), Jim Halpin (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Mike McMahon (Lead Guitar), Jim Le-Cluse (Drums), Gary Beaubien (Guitar)
At age thirteen, at Fruitvale Junior High School, Mike McMahon met Jim Halpin and Gary Beaubien, who had heard about Mike, and that he could play the guitar.
It was true that when Mike was supposed to be doing his homework, he pulled his Father’s 1952 Harmony Guitar out from under his bed, and taught himself to play.
Mike had even learned “Mister Moto,” entered a talent contest, played it at the Fruitvale Hall in front of the whole town, including his parents, and won!
So, they asked him if he wanted to join their band.
Still shy, he thought he couldn’t play well enough, but they said, “Don’t worry, you have a guitar, and we will teach you how to play chords.” And so they did. They heard about another guy who could play the drums, and yet another who played the piano, and along with a few more plot twists along the way, The Chevelles were born.
Fun Fact: Jim Le-Cluse was a Hot Rod fanatic, so the band was named after the now iconic Chevy 396 SS Chevelle.
They practiced at each others' houses, and started playing the school sock hops. The Chevelles became hugely successful locally, started playing bigger arenas, and getting gigs in other towns. They had a great repertoire, a fanbase, and big dreams.
“This cut my teeth. When I started playing music, everything changed. I took great pleasure in just being one of the guys.” ~ Mike McMahon
Mike was just seventeen years old in this photo… before San Francisco and Hendrix, before The Beatles, and the long hair. They were on top and headed out on tour.
They played Calgary, and after the show, their Manager took their money, went to the Lethbridge Race Track, and lost it all. He skipped town, and they never saw him again.
Stranded in Calgary, Gary Beaubien hitchhiked back home, then drove his car back to get the guys. Mike sold his saxophone and gave Gary the money for gas, and with that, the band broke up.